Hound Dog Hotel. 'The Ritz' of the dog world and the Ultimate in dog accommodation and care - Because Your dog Deserves a Holiday too!

Monday, 10 March 2014

Ball Throwers & dogs with no ‘off switch'

As
the Northern Beaches standout choice for dog minding and pet sitting – and of
course being the Perfect Pet Sitter:-) I meet many, many different
dogs - all breeds, shapes and sizes. Yet
as every dog owner knows, each has their own unique personality.

At
one end of the spectrum there are those that love everyone they meet - to
others that bond with just one person.

In
the same way as personalities vary – so do energy levels. From calm and almost
stately, to highly outgoing and very excitable.

It
is within the latter you find dogs with no ‘Off Switch’. Puppies often fall
into this type at first and can grow out of it, but some never do, even when
fully mature.

Injuries
and cuts are far more common with high energy dogs. Whilst rushing around they
don’t see obstacles or sharp shells. They leap and twist in the air and often
they are so engrossed in what they are doing that cuts or strains are not seen
until you get home.

But
more serious still are the types that get very obsessive about certain
behaviours, for example running after balls launched by ball throwers.

Lots
of dogs love chasing balls. Example, Jack, a cattle dog I’ve cared for many
times. Jack is 8 years oldand he loves running after a ball and brings it back every time and drops it so you will throw
it again. However, Jack is smart, and as he gets tired he takes longer and
longer before he drops the ball. In effect he has learned how to self regulate to
stop him overheating.

Left - Right Jack, Maggie, Izzy & Amber

Dogs love Curl Curl Lagoon (NSW)

More
mature dogs like Jack have learned to control their behaviour, but some never
develop an ‘Off Switch’ – effectively they become ‘Conditioned’. They can go on to OCD around balls

(Google: ‘operant conditioning’).

In hot weather in particular, I really worry whenI see a dog constantly running
after a ball being launched again and again. Any dog ( but especially those with
thick coats and/or where there is no water to swim and cool off) are
in serious danger of exhaustion or heat stroke because they literally will keep
chasing that ball until they drop.

When
I take the dogs in my care on our Adventure Walks I prefer they interact with
other canines rather than simply run after a ball. So I take them to venues with smells, variations of landscape and other dogs to play with. Occasionally I will take the thrower with us, but rather in the
way you wouldn’t give children chocolate all the time, I keep these times
limited. And, I always keep in mind that I am the one who has to control the
‘Off Switch’ and limit the where, when and how often I throw that ball.

A TIP

Which
dogs should be insured? Ideally insure your dog – full stop. However, in the
words of my vet in the UK when I didn’t have insurance cover for my big German
Shorthaired Pointer:“Always insure large,
active and energetic breeds with short coats. Their energy means they plough
into all sorts of places and their thin coats mean they get cuts far more
easily than dogs with more dense coats”

3 comments:

On this walk I met up with the owner of Izzy who I cared for last year and will be again this June (have blogged about cute 'Little Iz' previously). I had Amber with me, a lovely outgoing cross breed who is an example of a dog that loves the whole world and who I'm dog sitting again next week. At Curl Curl we bumped into Jack & Maggie with their owner, which is how we were all together. (Blogged about these two before and I'm caring from them again at Easter).

My lovely dog Amber certainly does love the world Maralyn, and she definitely loves you too!! Thank you for mentioning her in your blog. I feel assured that she is in great hands whenever she is with you. Liza

Search This Blog

Follow by Email

Pages

About Me

Hi, I’m Maralyn Nash and my Hound Dog Hotel here on the NSW Central Coast offers outstanding personal accommodation for your dog (www.HoundDogHotel.net)
Hound Dog Hotel is a unique boutique hotel only for VIPs - Very Important Pooches!
Limited to a maximum of just four dogs at any one time, my specialist service is an elite option for owners who will only accept the best for their beloved furpal. The care of your dog is matched by high professional standards which will impress the most discerning dog owner.
So you need no longer fret about going away because with 24/7 devotion to the welfare and happiness of your VIP, Hound Dog Hotel is the solution to banish guilt. In fact with round the clock company, affection, play and exercise your dog will have the time of their lives - their very own holiday!
When your pet is your passion and you want only the best, my exceptional and reliable service is all you need.